January 28, 2009 - FluoroPharma Inc., a molecular imaging company engaged in the discovery and development of proprietary products for the PET market, said it has received a U.S. Patent covering methods of imaging cardiovascular plaque formation using F18 labeled 2-fluorodeoxy-D-glucose (FDG).

This patent, exclusively licensed from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), provides FluoroPharma with additional patent claims that cover imaging of atherosclerotic plaque inflammation and rupture.

January 28, 2009 - Data published this week in the online journal Circulation from the SPIRIT III U.S. pivotal trial demonstrates that the XIENCE V everolimus-eluting coronary stent system outperforms the TAXUS Express2 paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system in reducing a patient’s likelihood of suffering a heart attack or requiring a repeat intervention out to two years.

January 27, 2009- For the second straight year, GE Healthcare has earned top honors for Overall OEM Service for cardiovascular X-ray systems in the 2008 IMV ServiceTrak Imaging X-Ray Cardiovascular Systems report.

IMV ServiceTrak reports present a broad, independent analysis of service trends in the imaging industry. The 2008 cardiovascular X-ray survey included 694 responses across four major OEMs. GE received the highest ranking in 17 of the 34 service attributes and improvements in 26 categories.

January 27, 2009 - The FDA notified healthcare professionals Monday that the makers of Plavix, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals, agreed to work with FDA to conduct studies to get a better understanding of the effects of genetic factors and other drugs (especially the proton pump inhibitors - PPIs) on the effectiveness of clopidogrel.

January 27, 2009 - Thanks to the CardioWest temporary Total Artificial Heart and portable driver, recipient Mr. Potiron was able to leave University Hospital of Nantes for the first time in more than a year to celebrate Christmas at home.